The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from four stores in Scotland and Wake Counties because of excessive price-scanner errors.
“The price on the shelf and the price at the register should match,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Stores have a responsibility to make sure their pricing is accurate, and most stores pass inspection. Ones with errors face fines until they come into compliance.”
The department conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of price-scanner systems in businesses to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register. If a store has more than a 2-percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection at a later date. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store. Consumers who would like to file a complaint about scanner errors they encounter, can call the Standards Division at 919-707-3225.
Penalties are assessed if a store fails a follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to re-inspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2-percent-or-less error rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if a store fails a re-inspection.
Following is are the civil penalty that were recorded in the first quarter of 2021:
- (Scotland) Tractor Supply at 1690 South Main Street in Laurinburg has paid $375 in penalties. An initial inspection in January found a 10 percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow up inspection in March found a 3 percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.
- (Wake) Advance Auto Parts at 7201 Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh has paid $525 in penalties. An initial inspection in October 2020 found a five percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow up inspection in November 2020 found a three percent error rate based on nine overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in January.
- (Wake) Family Dollar at 100 Raleigh Blvd. in Raleigh has paid $5,765 in penalties. An initial inspection in October 2020 found a 10 percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow up inspection in November 2020 found an 8.67 percent error rate based on 26 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in January.
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(Wake) Family Dollar at 3605 Amber Lane in Raleigh has paid $1,770 in penalties. An initial inspection in October 2020 found a 10 percent error rate based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow up inspection in November 2020 found an 4.33 percent error rate based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in January.
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